The nation's newest aircraft carrier was built in the Newport News shipyard, construction started in 2005 when the first piece of steel was cut and in 2007 the carrier also known as CVN78 was officially named the Gerald R Ford.

President Gerald R. Ford was the 38th President of the United States. His daughter, Susan Ford Bales, served as the ship's sponsor, performing the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship's bow during the ceremony.